Replacing any given laptop part is already hard enough compared to their desktop counterparts. They’re doable for the most part, of course; just more tedious and expensive.
As if that wasn’t enough, Apple’s distinctive “unibody” casing on its MacBooks ups the difficulty factor a notch. When replacing the screen on a MacBook, you can’t just simply (a relative term to be sure) detach the display assembly. You have to remove the protective glass covering first before you can even get to the LCD itself. Sure, the glass layer does its part in keeping your MacBook’s LCD safe from physical harm for as long as possible, and it is cheaper to replace the glass than the screen; but once the damage goes beyond the glass and onto the LCD, part replacement can be a nightmare.
A nightmare, that is, for the uninitiated; just like most procedures, with easy-to-follow instructions, things become a lot less complicated.
Here are steps on how to replace your MacBook’s busted LCD screen.
1. Before you begin, make sure you have the following on hand: A heat gun (or a hair dryer if no heat gun is available), a large suction cup, a thin piece of plastic, a Phillips head screwdriver, and a lint-free cloth.
2. Use the heat gun to heat the edges of the protective glass. This is to loosen the adhesive strip between the glass and the screen. Concentrate on one corner edge at a time.
3. After a corner edge has been thoroughly heated, use the suction cup to gently pry the glass away from the display assembly. Use the thin piece of plastic to help with the detachment if necessary. Remember to not force the suction cup if the removal of the glass’s edge proves too difficult, as this could crack the glass. Instead, reheat the edge again until the adhesive strip is pliable enough to be pulled apart.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on all edges of the protective glass. At some point, the glass will just become loose enough for you to remove it easily. Once removed, set aside on a smooth, preferably dust-free surface.
5. With the Phillips head screwdriver, remove the screws fastening the LCD to the chassis. There are two screws on either side, and two more at the bottom of the screen, making it six screws in all.
6. Gently remove the clutch cover at the bottom of the display assembly by applying a light upward pressure on it and sliding it to the left.
7. Once that is done, simply tilt the display forward a bit to let the LCD come right off. Do this carefully.
8. Gently move the LVDS cable through and away from the opening at the bottom of the display assembly. Once done, you may now remove the LCD completely.
9. Put the new LCD in place by first working the LVDS through the same hole it came out of. Make sure that it’s the back portion of the cable’s end that you work through. As before, do this as gently as possible, as the LVDS cable can break easily.
10. Once the cable is through, line up the LCD with the chassis bottom-to-bottom, and slide the screen smoothly into the groove.
11. Replace the six screws back into their respective holes.
12. Wipe the protective glass screen first with the lint-free cloth before putting it back over the LCD screen. Once it has been thoroughly wiped clean, line it up with the LCD and press it onto the screen, using the remaining adhesive.
13. Finally, slide the clutch cover back in place, and the job’s done!
The procedure is actually easier than it looks. All it takes is the right set of tools, a dash of carefulness and patience, and this simple guide to see you through. Overtime – and provided you have enough MacBooks (you need) to work on – you won’t even need that last bit.
Good luck!
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As if that wasn’t enough, Apple’s distinctive “unibody” casing on its MacBooks ups the difficulty factor a notch. When replacing the screen on a MacBook, you can’t just simply (a relative term to be sure) detach the display assembly. You have to remove the protective glass covering first before you can even get to the LCD itself. Sure, the glass layer does its part in keeping your MacBook’s LCD safe from physical harm for as long as possible, and it is cheaper to replace the glass than the screen; but once the damage goes beyond the glass and onto the LCD, part replacement can be a nightmare.
A nightmare, that is, for the uninitiated; just like most procedures, with easy-to-follow instructions, things become a lot less complicated.
Here are steps on how to replace your MacBook’s busted LCD screen.
1. Before you begin, make sure you have the following on hand: A heat gun (or a hair dryer if no heat gun is available), a large suction cup, a thin piece of plastic, a Phillips head screwdriver, and a lint-free cloth.
2. Use the heat gun to heat the edges of the protective glass. This is to loosen the adhesive strip between the glass and the screen. Concentrate on one corner edge at a time.
3. After a corner edge has been thoroughly heated, use the suction cup to gently pry the glass away from the display assembly. Use the thin piece of plastic to help with the detachment if necessary. Remember to not force the suction cup if the removal of the glass’s edge proves too difficult, as this could crack the glass. Instead, reheat the edge again until the adhesive strip is pliable enough to be pulled apart.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on all edges of the protective glass. At some point, the glass will just become loose enough for you to remove it easily. Once removed, set aside on a smooth, preferably dust-free surface.
5. With the Phillips head screwdriver, remove the screws fastening the LCD to the chassis. There are two screws on either side, and two more at the bottom of the screen, making it six screws in all.
6. Gently remove the clutch cover at the bottom of the display assembly by applying a light upward pressure on it and sliding it to the left.
7. Once that is done, simply tilt the display forward a bit to let the LCD come right off. Do this carefully.
8. Gently move the LVDS cable through and away from the opening at the bottom of the display assembly. Once done, you may now remove the LCD completely.
9. Put the new LCD in place by first working the LVDS through the same hole it came out of. Make sure that it’s the back portion of the cable’s end that you work through. As before, do this as gently as possible, as the LVDS cable can break easily.
10. Once the cable is through, line up the LCD with the chassis bottom-to-bottom, and slide the screen smoothly into the groove.
11. Replace the six screws back into their respective holes.
12. Wipe the protective glass screen first with the lint-free cloth before putting it back over the LCD screen. Once it has been thoroughly wiped clean, line it up with the LCD and press it onto the screen, using the remaining adhesive.
13. Finally, slide the clutch cover back in place, and the job’s done!
The procedure is actually easier than it looks. All it takes is the right set of tools, a dash of carefulness and patience, and this simple guide to see you through. Overtime – and provided you have enough MacBooks (you need) to work on – you won’t even need that last bit.
Good luck!
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